Illuminated cross



Sept. 23, 1947.

B. A. BLANKENSHIP ILLUMINATED CROSS Filed Jan. 19, 1945 Patented Sept. 23, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in crosses for use upon church steeples, roofs, and other structures where a cross is desired to be displayed, and the primary object of the invention is to provide a structure of this character which may be readily seen from great distances and to make a pleasing impression upon the eye.

More specifically, the invention embodies illuminating means for the cross and mounted within the latter, together with means for rotating the cross.

A further object of the invention is to provide a cross of transparent or translucent material, together with illuminating means positioned within the cross and also providing a base rtatably supporting the cross and having mounted therein motor-driven means for rotating the cross on a vertical axis.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character of simple and practical construction, which is neat and attractive in appearance, relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and install in operative position, and otherwise well adapted for the purposes for which the same is intended.

Other objects and advantages reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view.

Figure 2 is a slide elevational view.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on a line 44 of Figure 1.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, wherein for the purpose of illustration I have disclosed a preferred embodiment of the invention, the numeral 5 designates the cross generally which is of hollow construction and formed of translucent or transparent material and including an upright portion 6 of hollow construction and formed of plates 1 connected together at their vertical edge portions by means of screws or other fastening devices 8.

The arms of the cross are designated at 9 and are likewise of hollow construction and formed of plates it] connected at their longitudinal edge portions by screws or other fastening devices, I I.

The top of the vertical portion 6 is closed by a plate i2 and the bottom of the vertical portion is closed by a bottom plate !3 having upstanding flanges l4 telescopically received in the bottom edges of the vertical portion of the cross, as will be apparent from an inspection of Figure 3 of the drawing.

A hollow shaft is formed on the bottom plate 13 and extends downwardly through a hollow base IE5 and is rotatably supported on a bearing I1 resting on a block l8 forming the bottom of the base.

A pulley i9 is secured to the shaft 15 and which is driven by means of an electric motor 28' through a belt 2|, the motor being secured to the inside of the base It.

A pipe 22 extends upwardly through the bearing 55 into the vertical portion 6 of the cross, the pipe serving as a conduit for the electric wires 23 for illuminating the vertically extending lamps 2 supported by flanges 25 at the upper portion of the pipe 22.

The upper end of the pipe 22 has a tapered I end 26 seated in a bearing 21 secured in the upper portion of the vertical portion 6 of the cross by means of a brace 28.

The upper portion of the cross is also provided with a brace 29 through which the upper end of the pipe 22 is inserted.

The portion of the pipe 22 immediately above the bottom plate I3 is threaded, as indicated at 30, and on which adjusting nuts 3| are threaded to properly support the pipe in position in the cross.

Removable plates 32 are secured to the sides of the vertical portion 6 of the cross to provide access to the lamps 24.

The block 18 at the bottom of the base it is shaped to conformably fit on the ridge of a roof 33 to thus support the cross in an upright position thereon. The block l8 may also be constructed to mount the cross on the steeple of a church or to support the cross on any other suitable structure, either on the inside or outside of a building.

In the operation of the device, the motor 2!! driving the pulley l9 will serve to rotate the shaft I5 and the bottom plate IE on which the cross is supported and thus rotate the cross. The upper end of the cross is rotatably supported on the tappered upper end of the pipe 22 which thus functions as a bearing therefor.

The electric wires 23 extending upwardly through the pipe may be connected to any suitable source of electric current for illuminating the lamps 24.

In view of the foregoing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, it is believed that a clear understanding of the construction, operation and advantages of the article will be quite apparent to those skilled in' the art. A more detailed description thereof will accordingly be unnecessary.

It is to be understood, however, that even though I have herein shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, the same is susceptible of certain changes fully comprehended by the spirit of the invention as herein described, and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is:

1. A hollow cross of translucent material, a hollow vertical shaft on the bottom of the cross, a base rotatably supporting the shaft and including a bottom coacting with the lower end of the shaft, means for rotating the shaft, a pipe extending upwardly through the shaft into the cross and forming an electric conduit for illuminating means within the cross, and means for rotatably supporting the cross on the upper end of said pipe.

2. A hollow cross of translucent material, a hollow vertical shaft on the bottom of the cross, a base rotatably supporting the shaft and including a bottom coacting with the lower end of the shaft and notched on its lower side for mounting on the corner edge of a building, means for rotating the shaft, a pipe extending upwardly through the shaft into the cross and forming an electric conduit for illuminating means within the cross, said pipe extending through said bottom into said roof and a bearing in the upper end of the cross, said pipe having a tapered upper end rotatably supporting the bearing.

BENJAMIN A. BLANKENSHIP.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent: 

